Jimryan Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Well, it just hit me. This time next week I'll be gracing the stage at one of the local music pubs. The big difference this time, is that I'll probably take my double bass. I've get loads of times over the years but only with an electric bass. I've only been playing double bass for a couple of weeks, but feel confident to use it live. Admittadly the bass is only a cheap Chinese one (yes, shame on me), but it's doing it's job of getting me used to it until I can afford a decent one. Anyway, back to the matter. I've never gigged with a double before, any tips or advice that applies this time round in comparison to gigging soley with a bass guitar? Many thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin spangles Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Good luck! Be patient you are on a long arduous journey. If you find you have a problem being heard don't try to overcompensate by "digging in" you'll have a lot of pain in the morning. Try and enjoy every note you play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Get good monitoring happening. The hardest thing about gigging a double bass is not being able to hear yourself - it can cause a lot of stress worrying about intonation and so on. If you can hear what you're playing then you'll be fine. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 [quote name='marvin spangles' timestamp='1336085922' post='1640850'] Good luck! Be patient you are on a long arduous journey. If you find you have a problem being heard don't try to overcompensate by "digging in" you'll have a lot of pain in the morning. Try and enjoy every note you play. [/quote] I'd agree with this, i use an electroharmonix headphone amp fed by one channel of a boss LS-2. No matter what the onstage volume level, I know I'll be able to hear all my intonation errors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobVbass Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Drink lots of water to stop the painful arm/cramp stuff. Warm you wrist up beforehand and stretch your tendons by bending your wrist either way (if that makes sense) run your wrist under the hot air blower helps & don't over play/ play too hard especially if you can't hear yourself - must most of all enjoy it and bask in the extra attention! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 (edited) as mentioned above don't over play or you'll knackered before you finish the first set. i'm new to DB too, have done 3 gigs so far & thoroughly enjoyed all of them. you may have some feedback issues,i do,but with a bit of eq'ing you should be fine. it's a real blast,you'll love it but most importantly enjoy it. Edited May 4, 2012 by artisan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Cheers for the advice guys and keep it coming. In particular, I love the EHX idea. I've never thought of using one of those amps as a little in ear monitor. I might just get one for other gigs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I've always been more than happy not hearing myself - dont want to know how crap my intonation is. Hit the root note if you loose things dont stop and dont grimace if you mess up - just pretend it is all going to plan! All works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Watch out fro drunken punters who can't tell the difference between a db on its side and doorstep when they're planning to trip over something. Have fun. That's all that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewk_ie Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 [quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1336134112' post='1641366'] In particular, I love the EHX idea. I've never thought of using one of those amps as a little in ear monitor. I might just get one for other gigs too. [/quote] +1 I never leave for any gig (elec or upright) without my IEM's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewk_ie Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 [quote name='paddy109' timestamp='1336167314' post='1642168'] Hit the root note if you loose things dont stop and dont grimace if you mess up - just pretend it is all going to plan! All works for me. [/quote] And then repeat the mistake, that way it looks like you meant it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) A couple of white stick-on dots on the edge of the fingerboard, so if you jump about too much or if you can't hear yourself you can hit your fingering position. Total life-saver. Edited May 9, 2012 by fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimryan Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 stick on dots are a good idea. Fortunately, I've made a few reference points on the neck with the way it's finished, quite conveniently one on what would be the 3rd, 5th and 7th frets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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